Not contractually, or officially, but certainly in terms of perception.

There isn’t any formal tie to a rival organization, such as the Bombers or Montreal Alouettes.

There isn’t the jarring sight of a Roughriders legend toiling behind matador pass protection in Montreal, or standing on the sideline with the Blue Bombers while a less-accomplished quarterback calls the signals.

Durant made it abundantly clear where his allegiances lie while releasing a statement on Friday morning.

“If you cut me open,” he wrote, “I am sure that I would bleed green.”

In a sense, the bleeding has stopped.

It wounded Durant to leave the Roughriders in January of 2016. He was dealt to Montreal just over a year after beginning an uncomfortable alliance with the Roughriders’ head coach and general manager, Chris Jones.

As a member of the Alouettes, Durant received far too much blame for a three-win season.

After being cut loose by Montreal this past January, he quickly signed with the Bombers. He sounded all the right notes, but it never looked right.

Darian Durant a Bomber? How could it be?

Very quickly, people wondered what it would be like to see him play, or not play, for Winnipeg during the annual Labour Day Classic — a game in which he typically quarterbacked Saskatchewan to victory.

Now the curiosity pertains to why he retired, the rationale being unclear.

“While we respect his decision, we are of course extremely disappointed,” Bombers GM Kyle Walters said in a media release.

Durant reportedly received a signing bonus from Winnipeg, only to pull the plug.

So what? How often is the scenario reversed?

In the inequitable world of professional football, the employers generally hold the cards. A player can be released in an instant, without the team having any obligation to fulfil the terms of the contract (see: Dressler, Weston; Chick, John).

Of course, the contracts of coaches and general managers are fully guaranteed, whereas the players — who are the show — can be abruptly and arbitrarily terminated without receiving an additional cent.

In this case, Durant calls the shots. He is able to leave the game on his terms, as opposed to having others dictate the timing.

As a Roughrider, he often discussed his desire to play well into his 30s. He wanted to enjoy an association with the Green and White, in terms of duration and achievements, that put him in the same sentence with Ron Lancaster, George Reed, Roger Aldag and Gene Makowsky.

As a Blue Bomber, Durant would have been playing out the string, and not on the first string. Before it could come to that, he retired at 35 — his true colours being apparent.

For confirmation, check out DarianDurant.com.

The home page is dominated by a photo of Durant, resplendent in his familiar green and white No. 4 jersey, holding the Grey Cup above his head during the post-game pandemonium of Nov. 24, 2013.

That was a time to celebrate the Roughriders’ ultimate home-field victory.

While attempting a 2-point conversion against the Montreal Alouettes, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant is wrapped up by Anwar Stewart and John Bowman of the Als only to wiggle free and make a scoring pass. This was during a CFL game Friday, August 21, 2009 at Percival Molson stadium in Montreal. john kenney/The Gazette

Saskatchewan Roughriders' quarterback Darian Durant points to a West Final Championship hat on after a victory over the Calgary Stampeders in CFL action at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sask. on Sunday Nov. 22, 2009. Troy Fleece/Regina Leader-Post

Darian Durant, quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders runs for yards during CFL football action between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Edmonton Eskimos at Mosaic Stadium in Regina July 17, 2010.Bryan Schlosser/Regina Leader-Post

Steam raises up off of Saskatchewan Roughriders Quarterback Darian Durant during a break in the practice at McMahon Stadium,on Friday November 27th ,as they prepare for Sundays Grey Cup Championship game against the Montreal Alouettes in Calgary .Dean Bicknell/Calgary Herald

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant (#4) walks off the field after the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the B.C. Lions in overtime at Mosaic Stadium in Regina November 14, 2010. Saskatchewan won 41-38 in overtime. Bryan Schlosser/Regina Leader-Post

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant celebrates their win against the Calgary Stampeders during their game at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on November 21, 2010. Leah Hennel/Calgary Herald

Alex Harris (L) 9 years in grade four at St. Francis Community School has his Riders t-shirt autographed by Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Darian Durant (R) during the kick-off to KidSport Month in Regina on May 04, 2011. Don Healy/Regina Leader-Post

Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Darian Durant speaks to reporters at training camp at the University of Regina on Tuesday, June 6, 2012. Troy Fleece/Regina Leader-Post

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant (4) leads his team on the field as they face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Grey Cup Sunday November 24, 2013 in Regina.Frank Gunn/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant sits in the endzone with his helmet knocked off after being sacked for a safey touch in the fourth quarter of Canadian Football League game against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal, August 6, 2010. John Mahoney/Canwest News Service

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant runs with the ball as he is rushed by Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman Torrey Davis during fourth quarter of the Grey Cup, Sunday, November 24, 2013 in Regina.Frank Gunn/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant lights up a cigar after beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Grey Cup Sunday November 24, 2013 in Regina.Jonathan Hayward/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant on the balcony of the Premier's office at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, SK, on Tuesday, November 26, 2013. TROY FLEECE/Regina Leader-Post

Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Darian Durant was on a motor scooter during practice at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Wednesday. TROY FLEECE/Regina Leader-Post

Head coach Chris Jones of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Darian Durant #4 talk before the beginning of overtime against the Edmonton Eskimos during a game held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sask. on Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Michael Bell/Regina Leader-Post

Roughriders Darian Durant takes part in the post game show following the Saskatchewan Roughriders final home game at old Mosaic Stadium in Regina on October 29, 2016.TROY FLEECE/Regina Leader-Post

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